Have you noticed the catchy black and white flyers on the counters of some of your favorite local businesses? Perhaps you have seen or heard the shoplocalbiz.com commercial on the radio or TV. If you haven’t followed up and visited the shoplocalbiz.com website then you are missing out on the “Internet only” savings that hundreds of local businesses are offering, exclusively through shoplocalbiz.com.

Started in 2001 by Gail and Randy Chafé, shoplocalbiz.com is a one-stop marketing and advertising resource for small to medium size businesses. “It is really hard to define what we do because we do so much,” says Chafé. “That is why we personally meet with each client to assess their needs and tailor a program specifically to meet those needs. We understand the challenges and the need for an economical way to promote your business.”

Shoplocalbiz.com provides its clients with an alternative to expensive advertising. Those alternatives include sound marketing strategies, advertising, web design, web hosting, domain registration, shopping cart and content management, business promotions and cooperative radio and television commercial productions.

“Our comprehensive program enhances a business’s on-line presence and “top of mind” awareness to the local and global community,” Chafé explains. “That improves sales, which improves the companies’ bottom-line and supports our local communities at the same time.” Our services are geared for the small to medium business that is not backed by a large corporate advertising budget.

“Our business has evolved tremendously since we first started,” revealed Chafé. “In addition to the in-store flyers and window decals, we attract consumers to the website with ads in several of the local weekly, monthly and annual publications and commercials on TV. We just signed a deal with KOMO and four other radio stations that will have our ads playing during every Mariners game this season.” How does shoplocalbiz.com continue to grow when it wasn’t supposed to work? Chafé’s explanation can be summed up in two words — Customer Service.

“We have divided the area up into four geographical regions,” explains Chafé. “Randy and I work each area for two weeks, going out and meeting with prospective clients.” While they are working one area, one of their recently hired employees is calling the next area to arrange appointments. “Having someone arranging our appointments for us really allows us to concentrate on closing the sale,” explained Chafé. “Cold calling is an art and the person we have doing it is wonderful. She easily saves us 15 to 20 hours a week.” A couple of weeks after a client signs on another employee of shoplocalbiz.com performs a follow-up visit. “The purpose of the follow-ups is to find out how things are going for our clients and what we can do to improve our services,” expounded Chafé. “It is our goal that each client be visited quarterly to ensure we keep track of their needs.” With over an 80 percent renewal rate Shoplocalbiz.com customer service policy is on the right track.

Shoplocalbiz.com is a member of all the area’s Chambers of Commerce. In 2004 the firm was the winner of the Community Builder Award by the Greater Poulsbo Chamber. Chafé gives back to the business community by leading several Small Business Administration Workshops. “I’m a training advocate,” says Chafé. “Most businesses don’t realize the amount of quality low cost or free training they can receive from organizations like the SBA and the Business Assistance Center. Training that will help them run their business better.”